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Mercedes-benz SL - 1985

182.2 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1985 is 240.5 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Mercedes-benz SL, model year 1985. Sample size: 215 cars, 382 tests and 696 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 215 cars

The 1985 Mercedes-Benz SL has an overall defect rate of 182 defects per 100 vehicles, which is notably lower than the average for cars of the same year at 238 defects per 100 vehicles, indicating a 23.5% improvement. The model shows a significant increase in defects as mileage increases, particularly between the 62,000 to 93,000 miles segment where it has 344 defects per 100 vehicles, compared to the yearly average of 408. The SL excels in categories such as steering, visibility, and lights & electrics, with defect rates considerably lower than the average, suggesting better performance in these areas. There are no major categories where the model significantly underperforms compared to the average.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 215 cars

More model years for Mercedes-benz SL

1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Other models from Mercedes-benz

Mercedes-benz 190 E Mercedes-benz 300 Mercedes-benz A Mercedes-benz A 180 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz A 180 SPORT Mercedes-benz A 200 Mercedes-benz A 250 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz A-CLASS Mercedes-benz B Mercedes-benz B-CLASS Mercedes-benz C Mercedes-benz CITAN Mercedes-benz CL Mercedes-benz CL 500 Mercedes-benz CLA Mercedes-benz CLC Mercedes-benz CLK Mercedes-benz CLS Mercedes-benz E Mercedes-benz E 220 AMG Mercedes-benz EQA 250 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz EQC 400 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz ESPRINTER Mercedes-benz EVITO Mercedes-benz G Mercedes-benz G-CLASS Mercedes-benz GL Mercedes-benz GLA Mercedes-benz GLA 180 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLA 200 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLA 250 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLA 250 EXCLUSIVE Mercedes-benz GLB 200 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLB 220 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLC Mercedes-benz GLC 300 AMG Mercedes-benz GLC 300 AMG LINE Mercedes-benz GLE Mercedes-benz GLS Mercedes-benz GT Mercedes-benz ML Mercedes-benz R-Class Mercedes-benz S-Class Mercedes-benz SL Mercedes-benz SLC Mercedes-benz SLK Mercedes-benz SPRINTER Mercedes-benz V Mercedes-benz VIANO Mercedes-benz VITO Mercedes-benz X

Categories

Brakes
▼ 6.6% worse
89.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 83.5 / 100 tests
  • Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
Steering
▲ 34.4% better
20.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 31.1 / 100 tests
Visibility
▲ 37.3% better
14.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 22.5 / 100 tests
Lights & Electrics
▲ 45.2% better
31.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 57.3 / 100 tests
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 33.2% better
107.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 160.6 / 100 tests
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
Body/Structure
▲ 12.7% better
48.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 55.8 / 100 tests
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
Equipment
▲ 88.1% better
2.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 17.7 / 100 tests
Other
▲ 2.5% better
51.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 52.6 / 100 tests
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 448 0–31,000 mi 31,000–62,000 62,000–93,000 93,000–124,000 124,000+
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.

Most common faults (Top 10)

Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 78
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 48
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 36
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 34
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 30
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 28
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 23
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 19
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 16
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 16

Serious faults (Top 10)

The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 16
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
FAIL
Occurrences: 13
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 12
Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
FAIL
Occurrences: 8
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 7
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Fuel system: leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap
FAIL
Occurrences: 4